Phoenix Maplewood we'll ride the coattails to the finish line

The moment Reek answers is the same moment he begins to fall apart.  The seems give away and he notices the water spring to the other’s gaze before his own voice chokes and before he knows it, Reek is in a sob.  Tears spill over and dampen the dark fur of his cheeks.  Ukko takes a deep breath and then puts another step between them.  The distance grows between them.  He awkwardly stands there, usure of whether or not Reek wants comfort from him but the younger wolf can’t find it in himself to do so.

It has been two weeks since Saena had been missing.  Two weeks since the cougar attack.  His fur bristles, making his already large frame look even bigger with the advantage of his abnormally thick fur.  

“So you give up?” the wolf spits, venom behind his teeth.  “You don’t tell anyone.  We could have helped search,” he adds.  Tavi and he would have been more than happy but Ukko had kept his distance, wanting to give space to Scarlett in her healing.  He hadn’t heard a word beyond that and when their numbers began to dwindle and Scarlett on the verge of death, Ukko isn’t so sure the other is fit to lead them.  Not alone.  

Not ever.

“Get up,” Ukko growls.  “Take care of your wolves.  Lead them.”

Ukko’s ears flatten against the back of his head, angling his face toward the dark wolf.  His nose is dipped downward but his head is high.  His tail tighten its curl around her spine.  Darkened orange eyes bore into Reek’s features, hidden by the breakdown spelling out before him.

“Or step down.”